Showed My CHL to a LEO for the first time today.

[rangermonroe]

I buy and restore old houses in the downtown area of town, often alone. I carry open most of the time.

The cops check in on me a lot.

One loves to come by with rookies and "harass" me. I play along.

LEO: Anyone in here?
Me: Yeah! Leave me the hell alone! I've got a gun!
LEO: Me too! I'm coming in...SPD! Get up against the wall...Spread em!
Me: Dammit! I aint done nuthin, man!
LEO: hey, where is your SIG? You jackass! I'm gonna call your wife and tell her you're down here unarmed.
Me: Well, I was in a hurry today...
LEO: Thats crap! I ought to write you a ticket for stupidity! Who's gonna back me up? Go home and get your weapon. Oh, meet the new rookie.

And I am not a cop.

I met that guy on his beat, and he likes the idea of armed citizens on his beat. Cops seem to respect the CCW, kinda a civilian good guy badge.

 

[Ala Dan]

As a former LEO, it isn't required in Alabama; but I always did appreciate
contacts notifying me of such, without me asking. I was always amazed
by what kind'a guns the general public had decided too carry. As a type
of friendly gesture, I usually asked them. I have seen all types, from the
heavily worn el cheapo's to Ed Brown's Kobra Carry; and probably many
in between. Drug dealers usually preferred Glock's, Tec 9's, Uzi's, AK-47
variants, and the SKS of some type. Like most, our evidence lockers
stayed full of these kind's of firearms.

 

[XavierBreath]

I had almost exactly the same scenario recently after I was rear ended. In Louisiana you are required to inform. In previous encounters I have always informed. This one was protracted, and while waiting for the officer to arrive, I kept my hand on my pocketed J frame. The guy who had rear ended me was apparently enjoying mind altering substances, and was behaving erratically.

I immediately informed when I handed my CHL and driver's license to the officer, who looked at it and handed it right back. Because I had previously kept a hand on my pocketed j frame, I became acutely aware of my hands during the entire encounter once the officer was there. Thankfully, with my military history, I did not feel to awkward standing with my hands clasped in front of me. The officer thanked me afterwards, and the other guy was taken into custody.

Inform, but be aware of your hands.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I got stopped for speeding a couple hours ago.
My Wife's best friend just died and I was comming home from my friend's house after spending the day with him after the funeral.
I got pulled over for 73 in a 65. Actually I didn't know what speed I was doing, my mind was on other things.

Showed the Trooper my CHL and DL and told him I didn't have anything on me but had guns in the car.

He gave me a warning ticket and said be careful.

 

[wdlsguy]

In Texas, anytime a law officer requests identification, you must show both forms of ID, whether carrying or not.

It's only required if you are carrying:

Texas Government Code § 411.205. DISPLAYING LICENSE; PENALTY.
(a) If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and the license holder's handgun license. A person who fails or refuses to display the license and identification as required by this subsection is subject to suspension of the person's license as provided by Section 411.187.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person fails or refuses to display the license and identification as required by Subsection (a) after previously having had the person's license suspended for a violation of that subsection. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

 

[M2 Carbine]

"In Texas, anytime a law officer requests identification, you must show both forms of ID, whether carrying or not.
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This is incorrect. You must show your CHL only if you are carrying.

But even if I didn't have a gun on me or in the car, I'd present the CHL and say, "I have a CHL but I don't have a handgun on me or in the car".

Can't hurt.

 

[LiquidTension]

Some states have CWP information linked to driver's license information that comes up when run through NCIC. SC does not, I don't believe NC does either. I only remember one state having it listed...TN maybe. I'm of the opinion that if you have a CWP and you live in a state that displays permit info with a license query to NCIC you should inform the officer of your carry status regardless of whether you're carrying. When he runs your license, the info will pop up and if you haven't mentioned anything it might make the officer wonder why...obviously it's up to the individual, but the courtesy may well be appreciated by the officer.

 

[Father Knows Best]

And +1 to whoever said us LEO's get CHL's so we don't have to go through the NICS check.

O.k., a lot of people have now suggested that a concealed carry permit means you can buy firearms without a NICS check. I always that was the case, too. Then about three years ago, I got my Tennessee carry permit (called a Handgun Carry Permit, or HCP, here). About a month or so later, I went to buy a new gun, and when I handed over the permit the dealer said, "I don't need that; I need your driver's license." He charged me the $10 for the NICS check. I told him I thought that with the permit I didn't have to get a NICS check, and he looked at me like I was an idiot.

I've probably bought a half dozen new guns since then. Every time, I was required to provide DL and get a NICS check, despite my HCP. What's up with that?

 

[Nickotym]

As seen at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/bradylaw/permit_chart.htm , TN permits do not qualify for NICS alternatives. I believe the rules are that a background check must be done for your permit at least every five years. (Maybe even every 3 years.)

 

[ScottS]

I have seen all types, from the heavily worn el cheapo's to Ed Brown's Kobra Carry; and probably many in between. Drug dealers usually preferred Glock's, Tec 9's, Uzi's, AK-47 variants, and the SKS of some type. Like most, our evidence lockers stayed full of these kind's of firearms.

It would be fascinating to visit the "confiscated weapons" area of a major police department. Probably look like a Lorcin factory showroom, but I think it'd be better than a museum.

 

[Sam Adams]

Nathanael Greene

Not quite. In Texas, anytime a law officer requests identification, you must show both forms of ID, whether carrying or not.

I'll "not quite" your "not quite." If you are a CHL holder and are not carrying at that time, you do not have to show your CHL. That being said, I'd still show the card and tell the officer that I wasn't armed. It doesn't prejudice you in any way, and can help to avoid potential problems. However, being unarmed and failing to produce the CHL isn't a crime of any kind - see below, from the link that you posted:

If you are asked by a law enforcement officer to show ID (as in a traffic stop), you are REQUIRED to volunteer that fact you are armed by showing your CHL along with driver's license. When they run your DL, it will show if you have a Texas Resident CHL, so they WILL find out. DPS says the first time you fail to show a CHL, you license 'may' be suspended for 90 days, the second time, 3 years and the third time it may be revoked. (I do not think they are enforcing this rigorously.) The third time 'might' be a Class B misdemeanor but the 2nd time would not. A Class B would result in an automatic revocation which costs your CHL for 5 years.

 

[atblis]

Here's all I could find about VA

from the state code

The person issued the permit shall have such permit on his person at all times during which he is carrying a concealed handgun and shall display the permit and a photo-identification issued by a government agency of the Commonwealth or by the United States Department of Defense or United States State Department (passport) upon demand by a law-enforcement officer.

I will look some more, but it appears your only required to show it if asked.

 

[BigRobT]

I don't know, but as one person said earlier, IF you ARE carrying, it would be best to inform the LEO. That tells them that you are a "good guy" and that he won't get any problems for you. If you are not carrying, I'd still consider showing my permit for the same reason. (not that you'd really have to)

 

[Mannlicher]

Trust me, it all depends on what kind of day the cop in question is having.

 

[mec]

Required in Texas if you are carrying. You can get a 90 day suspension for a first offense for not showing it with your Dl or ID. Usually, the officer's response ranges from disinterest, to a few more questions about what you are doing to outright gratitude that you obeyed the law and showed him the license.

They tend to get highly agitado if you fail to show the license. Even the pro- chl ones will make one of those "command presence" speeches and some will hall you to jail

 

[Texfire]

"In Texas, anytime a law officer requests identification, you must show both forms of ID, whether carrying or not.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is incorrect. You must show your CHL only if you are carrying.

But even if I didn't have a gun on me or in the car, I'd present the CHL and say, "I have a CHL but I don't have a handgun on me or in the car".

Can't hurt.

+1

Anything that can do to decrease the officer's anxiety level is a good idea in my mind. Having him run a felony check and have a CHL on the return might make him wonder if I'm hiding anything. I was interested to find that it's stored in the database checked for felonies, not the ones they check for your plates or your driver license. Can't remember the reason that my instructor gave for that however.

Tex

 

[HerrWolfe]

If I have a concealed carry permit from my home state that does not require me to show my permit, and I am in another state that has reciprocal agreement with your home state, what is the legal requirement.

I have frequently questioned if I need to carry a copy of each state's regulations so that I do not get burnt. The LEOs on here....what would you do with an out-of-state person with the reciprocal permit? The full laws on all this recently provided by the ATF is about 450 pages! What about the other differences....i.e. And what if concealed carry is OK but the states do not have reciprocal agreement?

Is there a difference between the individual's conduct {(a) carry open vs concealed, as compared to (b) perhaps interaction with others, responsibility to withdraw etc.?

These questions are so closely related to the thread that I thought it would be OK to make this post.

 

[wdlsguy]

If I have a concealed carry permit from my home state that does not require me to show my permit, and I am in another state that has reciprocal agreement with your home state, what is the legal requirement.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

 

[mec]

I've been told that the chl is the first thing that pops up on the car computer when they run you. (I've also been told that its the LAST thing so, I don't know.) The first version might be keyed into a felon registry set to come up first to alert the officer to potential danger.

We are told that we are responsible for obeying the carry laws of the states we visit. Doesn't matter what our own state law says about a given situation.

 

[Aquaholic]

Then about three years ago, I got my Tennessee carry permit (called a Handgun Carry Permit, or HCP, here).

In Minnesota, It's called a Permit to Carry a Pistol... PCP. After careful deliberations, I've decided NOT to say: "I have my PCP, and my gun's in my waistband"

 

[Srigs]

In Minnesota, you do not have to tell a LEO about your gun or permit unless asked. They will already know if they run a car registered in your name or your DL. Note: The Minnesota license is to "carry a hangun" no issue if open or concealed. Open may mean they ask more often.

I have not had the pleasure (knock on wood) to get pulled over or require a LEO's help. It will make me do my home work if I go to another state.

 

[Sam Adams]

HerrWolfe

I have frequently questioned if I need to carry a copy of each state's regulations so that I do not get burnt.

I have a friend who attended Massad Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute, and this is exactly the advice they offer to keep out of trouble. If you're going to travel out of your home state, take the time to print out the carry laws/regs of each state where you'll be that has reciprocity, and put them into a tabbed notebook. This way, if there's ever a problem, you can show the officer his own laws and go on your merry way. It also wouldn't hurt to look them over beforehand, so as to avoid problems in the first place.

 

[Ares45]

Seems most of you are having what I would term "better than average" responses from LEOs. So I guess that's average now...

I was a little upset with my one and only encounter with LEO's. About three years ago I got pulled over by a state trooper for 77 in a 65. Driving a company car with commercial tags so it's not directly linked to my DMV record. With both hands on the wheel I notified the officer that I had a CCW permit and was armed which is required in NC. He asked the location of the weapon and then asked that I retrieve it with my left hand. Didn't bother to tell him I was left handed. He "confiscated" the weapon, which he is legally allowed to do for the duration of the encounter, and returned to his cruiser. He never asked for the permit so I'm assuming the permit is linked to my driver's license. When he returned he handed me a warning ticket for excessive speed and a handful of gun parts and ammuntion. The only thing not disasembled was the magazine. The trooper then told me to leave immediatly, that I was not to reassemble the weapon until I was somewheres else. I had the weapon reassembled and was loading the mag before he was back to his cruiser. Not happy at all about someone else field stripping my weapon.

 

[YellowLab]

he stripped your weapon to piss you off.

Your CCW was probibly more expensive than his service pistol/revolver.

 

[jer1949]

I haven't read the laws for awhile, but I HAVE read them.

In California the AG's WEB site tells a CCW holder, that is carrying, to hand over their DL and their CCW and keep both hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2. I have never had the opportunity to test this, because I haven't had a FTF with a road LEO in over 20 years. I do know quite a few local LEOs though and they have all indicated to me that while the AG's information is technically correct, most would consider that MO a favor. When I took the mandaory CCW training class, the instructor blew right by that law. Then again that whole class was a joke.